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If you’re thinking about taking a trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City, we went last month with my ‘big kids’ (ages 6 and 4) and LOVED it!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #CampGreatWolfwithCoke #CollectiveBias
We drove from St. Louis (less than 4 hours, door to door), and when we arrived at GWL, my kids were so excited to be at ‘the big cabin’.
If you’ve ever wondered if Great Wolf Lodge is worth the money, or if it’s good for toddlers or babies, or if it’s an ideal family vacation destination, I’ve got all the answers on Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City!
What’s the deal with Great Wolf Lodge?
Let’s start with the basics – Great Wolf Lodge is a family fun resort with entertainment for kids of all ages located in Kansas City, KS. Every GWL features an awesome indoor waterpark, but there’s more to it than that.
Now through Labor Day, Great Wolf Lodge has a huge summer camp-in celebration – the entire lodge is decked out in the summer camp theme. We’re talking staff in camp counselor tees, an indoor s’mores bar, story time by the fire – a weather-proof camping extravaganza.
How far is the drive from St. Louis to Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City?
For us, it was about 3 hours and 45 minutes – depending on where you live in STL, your trip may be a little shorter or longer.
Is Great Wolf Lodge all indoors?
No – GWLKC has both an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. The outdoor pool has cabanas for rent, tons or lawn chairs, and an outdoor bar. Also outdoors is an 18 hole mini golf course.
What is the indoor water park like at Great Wolf Lodge?
Theres a huge water fort area for smaller kids with 3 waterslides.
Further back is a small lazy river with a series of 3 water slides that use inflatable tubes. One of the slides is suitable for younger kids (mine are 4 and 6 and they loved it) and two of the slides are meant for older children and adults.
Does Great Wolf Lodge have life jackets?
Yes! They provide coast guard approved life jackets and you’re also allowed to bring your own Puddle Jumpers or whatever life vest you usually use at home, but inflatable toys aren’t allowed.
Does Great Wolf Lodge have lifeguards?
There are tons of lifeguards on staff at both the indoor and outdoor pools.
What is there to do for fun at Great Wolf Lodge?
Every day has its own unique schedule of activities, ranging from arts & crafts to dance parties to nightly story time.
Aside from daily activities, GWL has an arcade, Magic Quest (an interactive game that’s great for older kids), mini golf, and, of course, the indoor and outdoor pools.
What is the KidCabin room like at Great Wolf Lodge?
The kid cabin at Great Wolf Lodge has a mini log cabin within the room with a set of bunk beds and a separate single bed.
Separately, each room has a fridge, microwave and coffee maker, hair dryer, iron, and ironing board. Our room had a balcony overlooking the outdoor pool and a sleeper sofa with a tv as well.
What’s the food like at Great Wolf Lodge?
Camp Critter Grill has a daily morning breakfast buffet with all the family favorites – waffles, bagels, cereal, bacon, an omelet station, and the mascot, Wiley, visiting.
The entire room keeps with the wildness theme and our booths always had cute canopies. The menu was really great for kids + there was BBQ for the Summer Camp-In theme.
Great Wolf Lodge also had a few environmentally friendly touches that I appreciated, like paper straws and recycling stations for their pizza boxes. I love when places pay attention to the little details.
What are the beverage options at Great Wolf Lodge?
Happy to say GWL has Coca-Cola products (long live Diet Coke!) and they even have a Starbucks on-site.
They DO have alcoholic beverages on-site as well ;).
What you need to bring to Great Wolf Lodge:
- Swimsuits – for your whole crew
- Sunscreen – for the outdoor pool
- Sandals – for the indoor and outdoor pool
What you DON’T need to bring to Great Wolf Lodge:
- Life jackets/ puddle jumpers
- Towels, unless you’re really picky and want your own
What are the best ages to take your kids to Great Wolf Lodge?
Mine are 4 and 6 and loved it; I saw many families with infants there, as well as many families with older children there.
We didn’t bring my 2.5 year old, but she would’ve loved it.
Some of the activities are meant for younger children, and some are tailored to older children, so I really think it’s the perfect spot for many families!
Are babies free at Great Wolf Lodge?
Infants (under age 2) are free for water park access and lodging but do count towards the room’s maximum occupancy count.
The zero-entry pool would be great for very young children, and since they’re free, you might as well bring them along for the fun :).
Is the waterpark clean?
Everything was very clean and well-maintained. The indoor area wasn’t overly chlorinated at all.
Is Great Wolf Lodge worth the money?
This was one of the most-often asked questions on Instagram stories… Obviously, I don’t know your finances or budget, but for the experience, variety of activities, and family-friendly environment, my kids absolutely loved our visit to Great Wolf Lodge.
Access to the water park is included with the cost of the room, so the price does roll in entertainment as well.
Buying a Pup Pass, Paw Pass, or Wolf Pass also saves on fun extras around the resort.
Visiting on a weekday(s) is less expensive than the weekends. Every visit includes free wifi, fitness center access, life jackets, wolf ears for kids 12 & under, and towels for the pool.
If you arrive before the 4pm check-in time, you can start using the water park at 1pm – there are changing rooms and lockers available.
My kids loved the entire weekend and they’re still talking about the huge waterslides and the pools.
